Siddiqui, Khan, Quraishi, Sheikh, Ansari, Salmani, in more than 80% names in UP, MP, Delhi. The excessive focus on surnames and hence caste-link and caste perception.

Much difficult to find 'caste' or 'clan'. Hence, less caste feeling in the four southern states compared to North where majority of marriages are on caste lines, biradiris.

With surnames, comes the immediate perception. People form image, place the person in hierarchy, status in society. Happens less in schools, more as you grow up.

However, the names in schools-institutions suggest that in South Indian society, surnames are given hardly any importance. They are not too much part of identity or caste pride. Time for Northies to learn this too, from South. Isn't it!

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